Gun



Dec. 21 1926. 1,611,814

- T. J. BUTLER GUN Original Filed May 29, 1924 .4 Sheets-sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

\} BY I ATTORNEYS.

T. J. BUTLER Dec. 21', 1926.

GUN

INVENTOR.

% ATTORNEYS 6 NZ M m J/ T0. T M A w -J 5 w W 1/ k 7 6% 5 6 5 Wfi EM a 3-5 .w, a a Z \w a w Dec, 21 ,W26. 'mmsm T. J. 'BUTLEFE GUN Orizinail' lMay 29. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Application filed 29, 1924, Serial No. 716,620. Renewed 28, 1826.

This invention relates, generally, to im provements 1n guns; and, thepresent invention has reference more particular-l to a 7 i .la

primarily, in the novel gun hereinafter more fully set forth; and,sists, furthermore, in and combinations oft the said invention conthenovei arrangements the various devices and 1 1212 in said Figure 10.

novel construction of apparatus, in the form l ts, as well as in thedetails oi the conot a gun, from which a projectile or projec-St'lllClllOIl oi the said parts, all of which will tiles may be tired,with accelerating speed, be more fully described in the followingwithout the employment or use of an explospecification, and then linallyembodied in sive firing charge or charges, so as to prohe clauses of theclaims, which are appendduce a noiseless, as well as a smokeless d ed toand which form an essential part of vice or appa 'atus for firingprojectiles. th said specification.

The principal object of the present iii- The invention is clearlyillustrated in the 'vention is to provide an apparatus, in theaccompanying drawings, in which t'orm ot' a gun, and of a simple andeflicient Figure l is a plan i d F1 gum 2 a construction, for tiring aprojectile or proside elevation of one form of gun made ac- 7 jectilesfrom a bore, without the employment cording to and e Abodying theprinciples oi oi an explosive tiring medium, as powder or the presentinvention. the like; and, furthermore, to provide a Figure 3 is a.horizontal sectional represimple and effectively operating mechanicalsentation of the gun, with certain portions means, for propelling aprojectile O1 PIO- of the gun emitter from said figure, said iectileswith accelerating speed through the tio b in t k n on li S 3 in aid boreof the gun and from the firing nO ure 2, looking in the direction or"the arrow thereof. :0; Figure l is a similar sectional represen- Theinvention has for its further object to r tio f th un, aid section beingrepreprovide a noiseless and smokeless apparatus sented a b in taken online 1% in said 39 or gun for firing a projectile or pro-jectlles,Figure 2, looking in the direction or the arwith great speed orvelocity, the general arrow 1 and Figure 5 is a longitudinal centralrangenient and operation of the mechanism ti l ti n f th arts r r ntedin being such, that all vibrating eiiiects are reid Fi 3 am t, 1 s ti nbeing taken F duced to a minimum, to provide a 2W on lines 5 in saidFigure 3, looking in the scopic or stabilizing effect or scion of thedirection of the arrow to. gun, and that a perfect aim may be had; and,Fi 6 is a f m seamen th h furthermore, to provide a gun of the generalth l di hgunbey a d t d-hopper the character hereinafter more fullydescribed, anparetusl igure 7 is a semi-diagrannnatic h is pable f alaterally swinging n10- perspective ot the loading-actuating means tion,in a horizontal plane, and the pro- 15 th nd Fi re 8 is a cross sectionjectile-liring bore of which may also be 0n1ine 8-S in said Figureangularly adjustable, in vertical plane, so Fi r 9 i a side elevation01": a small as to deliver the projectile at a hig e arm-gun anapted tobe carried by an indilower angle, may be necessary. vidualoperator, tobe shouldered by the in- 90 Another object or" the present invention isdi idnal wh n ot in se, and to he emto provide a projectile-tiringapparatus or nloyed in the manner as is usual with the 91 in which thepr iec ile-nropelling hrdinary repeating rifle or similar gun, saidineans lDttV be flCllllZlllQCl by manually operat- View hgvvingangthgp gnbodi nent, of 12116 Gd moans; 0-1 by electric or other powerprinciplesor the present invention; and Fig 109 operated means. are 1\ is atransverse vertical section of the The invention has for its furtherobject to same, said section being taken on line 101O provide abreech-loading gun of the characin saic Fi, 'ure 9, and said view beingmade ter specified, with a view oi providing a on an en argec scale. MglYl'OSlCODiO or stabilized eltect under all con- Jigure 11 is a detailtransverse sectional ditionsfa reliable feed forfeedingrprojecrepresentation, on an enlarged scale, or the tiles intothe gun, and certain other features here or barrel of the gun, showingone or a ct advantage reterred to in detail hereinp r ot oppositelylocated pro ectile-feeding utter. L es in connection tl erewith; andFigure ll ith the various objects of the present in- 12 is a detailhorizontal sectional represenvention in view, the said inventionconsists, tatio i, said section be no; taken on line Figure 13 is a sideelevation of the loading end of the gun, as shown in Figure 1, equippedwith a belt-feed instead of a hopper; and Figure 1a is a similar view ofthe reverse or ejecting side of said loading end of the gun and of thesaid projectile-provider or cartridge-belt.

Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18, are horizontal sectional views, showing thebreech construction, as used in said Figures 13 and 1 1, said viewsillustrating in succession the various steps of feeding the belt throughthe apparatus, and detaching and forcing the projectiles into the boreor barrel of the gun and between the first set of the projectile feedingdiscs; Figure 19 is a transverse vertical section through the same; andFigure 20 is an enlarged elevation of the belt-exit portion of the gun.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of said figures, toindicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the several figures of the drawings, and moreespecially to Figures 3, 4c and 5, the reference-character 1 indicates asuitably shaped chambered casing, provided at one end with an opening,as 2, and being provided at its other end with a butt 3, the said buttbeing formed with a projectile receiving chamber 1. In communicationwith the chamber 4 is a magazine of any suitable design andcoinstrm-tion, herein shown as comprising angularly disposedcontainer-elements 5 in which the projectiles 6 are loaded, and areadapted to be successively fed by means of a spring-actuatedfollower-plate 7, in each element 5, into the said receiving chamber a,substantially as indicated in Figure 6 of the drawings. In communicationwith the said chamber 4 and disposed in an opening 8 in the wall 9 ofthe casing 1, is the receiving end of a tubular element 10, providingwhat may be termed the barrel or bore of the gun. This barrel or bore 10extends longitudinally through the casing 1, with its oppositeend-portion projecting from the opening 2, substantially as shown. Inits lower wall 11, at a suitable location, the said casing 1 ispreferably made with a chambered off-set, as 12, and extending laterallyon opposite sides of the wall-portion 13 are flange-elements 14 for theoscillatory or rotary support of the casing 1 upon the supporting heador lock 15, of a supporting locating tripod of any usual constructionand which may be provided with a seat, as 17, properly placed for seating the operator back of the gun. Usually the means of supportingconnection between the flange-elements 1d and the supporting head orblock 15 is the conventional journalmechanism, as indicated at 18 inFigure 2 of the drawings, so that the gun, while be ing oscillatorilydisposed in a horizontal plane, may also be moved in a vertical plane.

In addition, the casing 1 may be provided with the usual shoulder restor guard 19 and an arrangement of sights 20 and 21. A rotector-shield 22may also be employed with the gun, as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 inthe drawings. Suitably disposed within the *asing 1, and located outsideof and on opposite sides of the said tubular element or barrel 10 is aprojectile-feeding mechanism for feeding or passing the projectiles withaccelerated or increased speed through the barrel or bore, and forproperly discharging the projectile from the firing end of the saidbarrel or bore.

As shown, this mechanism comprises a series of spindles, in thisinstance ten of such spindles being employed, and which are respectively indicated by the reference-characters 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30 and 31., the several spindles having their respectiveend-portions both slidably and rotatably journalled in elongated holes,as 32, disposed in a pair of partitions or plates 33 and 34, with whichthe casing 1 is provided. Coiled springs 35 are located between and aresuitably attached at their respective ends with the respective spindles22 and 23, 24 and 25, 26 and 27, 28 and 29, and 30 and 31, the tendencyof the said springs being to draw the spindles of each pair of spindlestoward each other, and f r the purposes to be hereinafter more fully setforth. Mounted upon the upper portion of the spindle 22, as moreparticnlarly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, is a largesprocket-wheel or pulley 36 and upon a lo Yer portion of said spindle 21 is a small sprocket-wheel or pulley 37, while similarly disposed uponthe upper portion of the spindle 23 is a large sprocket-u-'licel orpulley 38, and upon a lower portion of said spindle .is a smallsprocket-wheel or pulley 39. Upon the lower portion of the spindle 21 isa large sprocket-wheel or pulley 10 and upon the lower portion of thespindle 26 is a small sprocket-wheel or pulley l1. Sin'ularly mountedupon the spindle upon the lower portion thereof, is a largesprocket-wheel or pulley 4:2, and upon the lower portion of the spindle27 is a small sprocket-wl1eel or pulley 13. Upon the upper portion ofthe spindle 26 is a large sprocket-wheel or pulley 41 1, and also uponthe upper portion of the spindle 27 is a large sprocket-wheel or pulley46. Mounted upon the upper portion of the spindle 28 is a smallsprocket-wheel or pulley as, and upon the lower portion of the spindle28 is a large sprocket-wheel or pullcv 48. Similarly, the spindle 29 hasmounted upon its upper portion, a small sprocketwheel or pulley 47, andupon the lower portion of the spindle 29 is a large sprocket wheel orpulley 50.

Mounted upon the lower portion of the spindle 30 is a smallsprocket-wheel or pul ley 49, and in a like manner, the lower porin: v

tion of the spindle 31 is .also provided with a small sprocket-wheelerpulley 51. Linkchains or belts 52 are passed over the respectivesprocket-wheels or pulleys 86 and 87, and d1, 44 and 45, 48 and 49; andin like manner, link-chains or belts are passed over the respectivesprocket-wheels or pulleys 38 and 3-9, and i3, i6 and IL-7, 6aand 51, aswill be clearly evident from an inspection of Figures 3 and 5 of thedrawings.

lrsshown in said Figures 3 and 5, and in Figures 8 and 11, thepreviously mentioned barrel or bore 10 is provided in its oppositesides, suitably spaced so as to be in alinement with the respectivespindles 22 and 23, 2-i and 25, 26 and27, 28 and29, and and 31, withoppositely located openings, as '55 and 56, into which project undernormal initial condition-s,'portions of the peripheries J of certainprojectile feeding or propelling discs or wheelsyas 57, 58, 59, 60, 61,62, 63, 64C, (35 and 66, the said discs being respectively mounted uponthe spindles 22, 28, 2d,, 25, '26, 27,28, 29, 30 and 8 As indicated moreparticularly in said Figure 11, the peipheral portion of each propellingdisc is .made concave in cross-section, this co -caved peripheralportion being preferably lined with a soft gripping material 67, such asfelt, or the like. Rotary motion of the several spindles, and thevarious elements carried by said spindles may be produced in severaldifferent ways, either by hand by the operator, or by means of anelectric motor, or other power-driven mechanism.

As shown more particularly in Figure l of the drawings, the spindles 26and 2?, or for that matter any other pair of spindles, are respectivelyprovided with gears 68 and 69, which are always in mesh with each other.Attachedt'o the lower portion of the spindle 27 is a bevel-gear 0 withwhich is in mesh a bevel-gear 71, mounted upon a shaft 72 rotatablydisposed in a bearing-portion "i 3 inthe wall of the main-casing 1.Mounted upon the outer'end-portion of the said shaft '72 is anotherbevel-gear 74 in mesh with a bevel-gear '75 mounted upon a rearwardlyextending shaft 76, rotatably disposed in bearing-portions 77 with whichthe said wall of the casing 1 is provided. The said shaft 7 6 is alsoprovided with a bevelgear '78 which is in mesh with a bevel-gear 79mounted upon a crank-shaft 80, also rotatably disposed in abearing-portion 81 in the wall of the "casing 1, and adapted to beactuated by a crank 82.

Thus, when the gunner or operator turns this crank, the inotion isconveyed to the spindle 27 and by means of the gearing 68 and 69 to thespindle 26, the motive power connected with the spindle 2?. to bepresently described being disconnected wth said spindle. as will beevident, turning in opposits directions. Owing to the arrangement of theear-mechanism and the connecting linlcch ns, the rotation of therespective spindles .2 i-and 25, and 22 and 28, with relation to thespindles 26 and .27 is reduced, while the rotation of the respectivespindles 28 and 29, and 30 and 31, with relation to said spindles 26 and27 is increased, in any ratio that be desired, so that the cartridge orproi ctilc fed into the receiving end of t mo; s slowly between the firstwo discs (51 and 32, but moves with increasing or accelerated motionbetween the discs 59 and 60, 5-7 and 59, 68 and 6d, and 65 and 66, to bedischarged from the firing end of the tubular element 10 with greatlyincreased speed,

will be evident.

"i lieu of the above described manually operated means for actuating theprojectile enfia in and firinr means the saindle .27 c, n. t: :1 7

y have detachably connected therewith L means of suitably constructedattaching sociiet 88, or other suitable means, a flexible shaft 81 whichis suitably connected with a is suitably operated 1.10111 an electricniotor, as 85, adapted to be placed in circuit with source ofelectricity by means of the electric cables 86 and 87 The circuitthrough the wires within the cable 88 normally is interrupted or broken,but is readily established by the operator, by means of thecontact-making devices 88 and 89, suitably connected with a graspingbutt, as 90, of the conventional shape, and as will be ly understoodfrom an inspection of I ores 2 and 5 of the drawings.

in order to conform as nearly as possible with the usual ordnancemethods, and to obviate the need of special instruction of the opeator,I have. provided the usual pistol grip or butt 91; provided with aspring-actucontact-member for the purpose herein described. so thatwhenever the gunner tightens his hold on the iistol-grip, the motor willbe set in motion, and upon releasing his grip t This method is of asmotor will stop. great advantage because it will be obvious that shouldthe gunner be shot or fail to keep his hold on the pistohgrip, the gunwill cease to shoot. In order to make the gun t ther conform to commonpractice, I provide the breech with the usual trigger 92, positioned ina recess 93 in the under face oi": the breech-block, the actualfinger-grip being pivotally mounted on one end of L-shaped bar 95adapted to move longitudinall v in a bore 96 to one side of andcommunicating with the recess i 3,the other .t said bar 95 beingconnected to a lever 97, pivoted intermediate its ends i c clot 8 in thebreech, the said lever having: a slottherein for the reception of a pinattached to one face of a plunger 7. hie arm of the L-shaped bar isreduced, as at 101, and is provided with a coil-spring he tubularelement or barrel 10 at first 102 and a collar 103, said collar 103being fixed on said reduced portion 101, and acting as an abutment forsaid spring 102. In operation, when the finger-piece or grip 94; ispulled backward, it pulls the bar 05 with it, the bar thereby impartinga forward swinging motion to the slotted arm 98 of the lever 97; andthus through the pin 99, a forward motion to the plunger 7, therebypushing a projectile into position in the gun barrel. During thisoperation, the spring 102 is compressed, and the spring 102 beingattached at one end to the face of the bore 96; and, abutting, as hasbeen stated against the collar 103 on the reduced portion 101 of theL-bar 95 upon releasing the trigger 01, the spring 102 will return therespective parts to their initial positions, permitting the operationbeing repeated to insert each shell.

Should it be desired, however, to insert the projectiles automaticallythe trigger or finger-piece 91 is lifted into the posit on shown indotted lines in Figure 3 and Figure e1 in which position it is in linewith a plunger 101 mounted at one side of the breech, and adapted to bereciprocated backward and forward by means of a cam 105 attached to oneof the propelling discshafts, said cam having engagement with a wearshoe106 on one end of the plunger 10 1, the plunger be ing urged toward thecam by any suitable means, such as a spring 107, fastened at one end tothe plunger, and at its opposite end to the bearing thereof. From thisit will be seen, that the action of the plunger back and forth willimpart the same action to the finger-piece, as was produced by thegunncrs finger, it being understood that there is a slot 1 8 provided inthe breech to permit the finger-piece to move back and forth in itsraised position. it will be noted from the above description that thegun can be quickly changed from being manually operated, to beingautomatically operated; and,

from being manually loaded to being automatically loaded, these itemsbeing of utmost importance in case of failure of any of the abovemethods in active use. Furthermore all of these method-changes can beaccomplished without the operator or gunner changing his position frombehind the gun and losing either sight of his target or the protectionof the shield.

With the style of infantry gun or small arm illustrated in Figure 9 ofthe drawings, as a modification, the general arrangement of themechanism for propelling a projectile with increasing velocity throughand from the barrel of the gun, this mechanism is substantially the sameas that herein'above described, except that with the actuating gears (38and have arranged between them and in mesh with the teeth 100 and 110thereof a rack 111, see Figures 10 and 12, the said rack being connectedby means of a connecting member 112 with a grasping element or member113 inova-bly disposed upon a guiding frame 111 carried by the casing 1of the gun shown in said Figure 9 of the drawings. Additional gears orpinions, as 115 and 116 are also in this case mounted upon therespective spindles 22 and 23 with which spring-controlled pawls or dogs117 and 118 are in engagement in a manner, so that during the forwardmovement of the member 112 and of the rack 111, the pawls or dogs 117and 118 the said pawls or dogs will actively engage the gears 115 and116, these gears being keyed to their respective shafts and in turnimparting a rotary movement to the propelling discs. It will be seenthat by this construction the propelling discs will be rotated in onedirection only, as the pawls will ride freely over the gears 115 and 116on the return stroke. It is obvious that by placing the pawls in anopposite direction from that as shown, the pull-back stroke of themember 112 can be made to become the active stroke instead of theforward or pushing operation. It will be noted that the method juststated (known as pumping) is in common use on many of the well-knownguns, and will require little or no instruction in order to learn itsuse. In the present form of gun, however, and shown in Figure 5), I findit of advantage to place the hopper above the breach and let theprojectilcs feed in by gravity, the hopper being, as in my preferredform, V-shaped, there being enough space between the two legs of the Vin order to have ample vision.

In referring to Figure 1&- it will be noted, that in place of theV-shaped hopper as shown in my preferred form of gun, shown. in saidFigure 1, and also in the modification illustrated in Figure 9, I haveequipped the gun with the usual cartridge belt 119, carried in the usualbox 120, the said belt being provided with pockets 121 for the receptionof the projectiles 122, the belt entering the gun-breech through anopening 123, and going through a similar opening 124 located on theopposite side therefrom, as Will be seen clearly by reference to Figures19 and 20.

In order to insert the projectiles in the breech-end of the gun-barrel,and at the same time hold the belt from being misplaced, due to theoperation of pushing the shell out of its belt-pocket, and in order togive to the belt an intermittent movement in one direction, I haveprovided the breechchamber in this modification with springactuatedclamping memljiers 125 and 126, which are positioned one above and onebclow the entrance-opening 123 of the breech, in such a manner as to becapable of vertical movement, the clamping members being normally urgedtoward each other by springs 128 and 129, positioned one above and onebelow each clamping member respectively. The breech is further providedwith a bore 130 in which is positioned a plunger 131, having a shoulder132 at one end, a reduced portion 133, and a head 134 on the end of saidreduced portion, the purpose of which will be later more fullydescribed. The plunger 131 is normally urged toward the end 135 of thebore 130 by a coil-spring 136 which bears against the shoulder 132 ofthe plunger and a shoulder 13'? of the bore 130. Positioned upon thereduced portion 133 of the plunger 131 is a prong-shaped member 138which, when the plunger is in normal or retracted position, is clampedbe-- tween the head 134 and the rear wall 139 of the cavity 140.

In order to impart forward motion to the plunger 131, I have providedthe operating member 141, which is identical with the same member-96 inmy prepared form, with a roller 142, the supporting shaft of whichprotrudes through a slot 143 in the bore 130 and a slot 144 is theoperating member or arm 141, the said roller bearing against the rearface of the plunger.

In operation of my device here stated, the belt is threaded through thebreech, until one of the shells is in line with the gun-barrel, or untilthe shell rests between the concave portions 145 of the clampingmembers, the end of the belt protruding slightly on one side, as at 146.It will be seen, that the clamping members will securely hold the beltin this position until they are separated, whereby the member or arm 141is actuated in a forward direction, as .shown in Figure 16, thus pushingthe plunger forward, compressing the spring 136, and putting the head134 in contact with the rear end of the shell. This does not, however,have any acion upon the member 138, which remains as before at the rearend of the cavity 14.0. Upon further movement of the arm 141, as shownin Figure 17, it will be seen that the head 134 has pushed the shell outof its containing pocket and the shoulder 147 formed by the reducedportion 133 of the plunger 131, has pushed the member 138 forward. untilthe ca-m-prongs 147 of said member engage in the recesses 148 formed inthe clamping members 125 and 126, and thereby spread these members apartand release the belt.

Upon the movement of the arm 141 back-- ward, the plunger is retracted,but the mem her 138 still continues to hold the'clamping membersseparated until the head 134 again engages it and moves it again intothe position shown in Figure 15. In order to feed the belt through thebreech and at the same time produce an intermittent motion 1 haveprovided the breech with shafts 149 and 150, positioned across theexit-aperture and have provided these shafts with pronged wheels 151 and152 respectively for the purpose of gripping the belt as it passesbetween them. In order to rotate the members 151 and 1 52 in oppositedirections, and at the same time impart an intermittent movement to themI provide the clamping members 125 and 126 with spring-actuated pawls153 and 154, which are adapted to engage the ratcliets 155 and 156 keyedto the shafts 149 and 150, respectively, so that when the clampingdevice is expanding, the pawls will ride freely over their respectiveratchetsf Upon the next movement of the clamping device the pawls willengage and thus through the action of the wheels 151 and 152 will impartmovement to the belt in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 3Having thus described my invention, it will be seen that I have produceda gun of the types specified, which is simple, and highly edective, andat the same time easily assembled and does not require specialinstruction for use. lit will be seen that my gun is also well adapted.for use in air craft, as it is free from the usual recoil; and, be causeof its gyroscopic quality, it is easily supported and kept in aim. Itwill be also noted that due to the fact that it is noise" less andsmokeless it is well adapted for use in trench warfare.

Briefly, and in summary, a rapid firing gun or apparatus made accordingto the principles of the present invention embodies the followingessential features :-stabilized or gyro-action; smokel-essness;noiselessness; standard design of parts; no special inst-ructionsneeded; can shoot the standard army projectiles; can shoot highexplosive shells without losing any of their explosive charge in orderto fire; leaves no empty projectiles to close its former position; usesno'gases; can shoot thin case-shells, with liquid container, orprojectiles having a glass-con: tainer, which cannot at present be firedbecause of the firing impact shattering the glass; projectiles passingin rapid succession into the bore of the gun, the projectiles almostabutting each other, because of the fact that there is no explosivecharges carried by the projectiles; and finally the gun needs nocooling.

Of course, I am fully aware that many changes may be made in the generalarrangements and combinations of the various devices and parts of theapparatus, as well as in the details of the construction of the same,without departing from the scope of the present invention, as describedin the foregoing specification, and as finally em bodied in the clausesof the claims appended thereto. Hence, I do not limit my presentinvention to the exact arrangements and combinations of the variousdevices and parts as described in the said specification,

nor do I confine myselt to the exact details of the construction or thesaid parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 claim 1. it un of thecharacter specifi d comprising aprojectile-reeeiving barrel, means for leading a projectile into saidbarrel, and mechanical and non-errplosi mechanism located on oppositesides or said barrel for forcing the projectile through said barrel andfinally expelling and firing the projectile from said barrel Without.any production of smoke.

2. A gun of the character specified comprising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means for feeding a projectile into said barrel, and mechanicaland non-explosive mechanism located 011 opposite sides of said barrelfor forcing the projectile through said barrel and finally expelling andfiring the projectile from said barrel Without any production of noisedue to explosive charges,

3. A gun of the character specified comprising a projectile-reccivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into saic barrel, and rotary meanslocated on opposite sides of the barrel for forcing the projectiles insuccession through the barrel and ez zpelling or firing the projectilesfrom said barrel.

A gun of the'character specified comprising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barrel, and rotary meanslocated on opposite sides of the barrel for forcing the projectiles insuccession through the barrel and expelling or firing the projectilesfrom said barrel, combined With means for variously speeding the members01' the said rotary means, and providing a stabilized eli'ect orgyro-action of the gun.

5. A gun 01" the character specified comprising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barrel, and aspeed-accelerating means located on opposite sides of the barrel forforcing the projectiles in succession and move them with acceleratingspeed through the barrel and expelling the projectiles at maximum speedfrom the barrel.

6. A gun oi the character specified comprising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barel, and rotary meanslocated on opposite sides of the barrel for forcing the projectiles insuccession through the barrel, combined with means for variouslyspeeding the members of said rotary means, and move said projectileswith accelerating speed through the barrel and expelling the projectilesat maximum speed from the barrel.

7. A gun of the character specified comprising a projectilereceivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barrel, said barrelbeing provided in its opposite sides with positioned openings, rotarydiscs located on opposite sides of the barrel, said discs having theirperipheral portions movable in the openings of the barrel, so as to gripthe projectiles and to move the same through the barrel, and to expel orfire each projectile from the exit-end of the barrel.

8. A gun of the character specified comprising a projectilea'eceivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barrel, said barrelbeing provided in its opposite sides with positioned openings, rotarydiscs located on opposite sides of the barrel, sait discs having theirperipheral portions movable in the openings of the barrel, so as to gripthe projectiles and to move the same throi h the barrel, combined withmeans ionsly accelerating the rotary speeds tie said discs and ot' theprojectiles in their passage through the barrel and expellin theprojectiles at maximum speed in the exit-end oi": the barrel.

9. A gun of the character specified com prising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barrel, said br" elbeing provided in its opposite sides with pos oned openings, spindleslocated on opposite sides of the barrel and in alinement with theoppositely located openings, discs mounted upon said spindles, saiddiscs having their peripheral portions movable in the openings of thebarrel, so as to grip the projectiles and to move the same through thebarrel, and to expel or fire each projectile from the exit-end of thebarrel, gearmechanism mounted upon said spindles tor actuating saidspindles and the discs, and means carried by a pair or said spindles forprimarily actuating said pair of spindles.

10. A gun oi" the character specified comprising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means for feeding projectiles into said barrel, said barrelbeing provided on its opposite sides with positioned openings, spindleslocated on opposite sides of the barrel and in alinement With theoppositely located openings, discs mounted upon said spindles, saiddiscs having their peripheral portions movable in the openings of thebarrel, so as to grip the projectiles and to move the same through thebarrel, and to expel or fire each projectile from the (Halt-611d of thebarrel, gearmechanism mounted upon said spindles geared. in a manner forvariously actuating said spindles and the discs, and means car i by apair of said spindles for primarily iting said pair of spindles. ll. gunot the character specified comi a proj ctiie-receiving barrel, means 'ngprojectiles into said barrel, said ii g provided in its opposite sideswith positioned openiny's, spindles located on opposite sides of thebarrel and in alinemeet with the opposite-iv located openings, each pairof said oppoi rely located spindles being capable also of reciprocatorymovellU ments, coil-springs connected with and lo cated between eachpair of spindles, disc mounted upon said spindles, said discs havingtheir peripheral portions movable i: the openings 0'2 the barrel, so tothe pro- 'ectiles and to more the same through the. barrel, and to espelor lire each projectile from the exit-end of the barrel, gear-mechanismmounted upon said spindles for actnating said spindles and the discs,and means carried by a pair of said spindles for primarily actuatingsaid pair of spindles.

12. A gun oi the character specified coinprising a projectile-receivingbarrel, means ror feeding projectiles into said barrel, said. barrelbeing provided in its opposite sides with positioned openings, spindleslocated on opposite sides of the barrel and in alinement with theoppositely located openings, each pair of said oppositely locatedspindles being capable also of reciprocatory move ments, coil-springsconnected with and located between each pair of spindles, discs mountedupon said spindles, said discs having their peripheral portions movablein the openings of the barrel, so to 531 the projectiles and to move thes o through the barrel, and to expel or tire each projectile from theexit-end of the barrel gear-mechanism mounted upon spindles geared in amanner for variously actuating said spindle and the discs and meanscarried by pair of said spindles for primarily actuating said pair ofspindles.

13. In a gun, in combination with the bar rel and breech thereo't, meansfor successively feeding projectiles into said breech, and mechanicaland nonexplosive mechanism located on opposite sides of the barrel toriorcing the projectiles through the barrel and expelling and firing theprojectiles in rapid succession from sad barrel without any pro ductionof smoke.

i i. In gun, in combination with the barand breech thereof, means forsuccessive-- feeding projectiles into said breech, and mechanical andnonexplosive mechanism located on opposite siles of the barrel forforcing the projectiles through the barrel and expelling and firing theprojectiles in rapid succession from said barrel without any productionof noise due to explosivecharges.

15. In a gun, in combination with the barrel and breech thereof, meansfor successively feeding projectiles into said breech, and rotary meanslocated on opposite sides or" the barrel for forcing the projectiles insucces sion through the barrel and expel the same in rapid successionfrom said barrel.

16. In a gun, in combination with the barrel and breech thereof, meansfor successive ly feeding projectiles into said breech, and rotary meanslocated on opposite sides of the barrel for forcing the projectiles insuccesrel ly sion tl'irough the barrel and expel the same in rapidsuccession from said barrel, combined with means for variously speedingthe members of the said rotary means, and providing a stabilized ellector gyro-action of the gun.

17. In a gun, in combination with the bar rel and breech thereof, meansfor successive ly teeoing projectiles into said breech, and a .ipeed-acrlerating means located on oppoi i the barrel for forcing the pro eetilesin succession with accelerating speed t rough the barrel and expellingthe pro-' lies at maximum speed from the barrel. 8. in a gun, incombination with the thereof, means for succesly feeding projectilesinto said reech, rotary means located on opposite sides 0 the barrel tortorcing the projectiles ii succession through ti o barrel, combined vithmeans variousl speeding the members of said rotary BQZLQS, and move saidp t s ith accelei speed through t i expellii he projectiles at in uspeed "rein the barrel.

' r 19. I a gun, in combination with the barrel and breech thereof, saidbarrel being aro- "ided in its opposite sides with positioned openings,scans for successively feeding projectiles into said breech, rotarydiscs lo cated on opposite o1 the barrel, said discs having theirperipheral portions movable in the openings or the barrel, so as to gripthe projectiles and to move the same through the barrel, and to expel orfire each projectile from the exit-end of the barrel.

20. In a gun, in combination with the barrel and breech thereof, saidbarrel being pr vided in its opposite sides with positioned openings,means for successively feeding projectiles into said breech, rotarydiscs located on opposite sides of the barrel, said discs having theirperipheral portions movable in the openings of the barrel, s as to gripthe projectiles and to move the same through the barrel, combined withmeans for variously accelerating the rotary speeds of the said discs andof the projectil s in their passage through the barrel and expelling theprojectiles at maximum speed from the exitend of the barrel.

21. In a gun, in combination with the barrel and breech thereof, saidbarrel being provided in its opposite sides with positioned o aenings,means for successively feeding projectiles into said breech, spindleslocated on opposite sides of the barrel and in alinement with theoppositely located openings, discs mounted upon said spindles, saiddiscs having their peripheral portions movable in the openings 01": thebarrel, so as to grip the projectiles and to move-the same through thebarrel, and to expel or fire each projectile from the exit-end of thebarrel, gear-mechanism mounted upon said spindles for actul till atingsaid spindles and the discs, and means carried by a pair of saidspindles for primarily actuating said pair of spindles.

22. In a gun, in combination With the barrel and breech thereof, saidbarrel being provided in its opposite sides with positioned openings,means for successively feeding; projectiles into said breech, spindleslocated on opposite sides of the barrel and in alinement with theoppositely located openings, discs mounted upon said spindles, saiddiscs having their peripheral portions movable in the openings of thebarrel, so as to grip the projectiles and to move the same through thebarrel, andto expel or fire each projectile from the exit-end of thebarrel, gear-111ecl1- anism mounted upon said spindles geared in amanner for variously actuating said spindles and the discs, and meanscarried by a pair of said spindles for primarily actuating said pair ofspindles.

23. In a gun, in combination With the barrel and breech thereof, saidbarrel heinovided in its opposite sides with peer openings, means forsuccessively fee-dea projectiles into said breech, spindles loch onopposite sides of the barrel and in alinement with the oppositelylocated openin each pair of said oppositely located spint s beingcapable also of reciprocatory movements, coil-springs connected with andlocated between each pair of spindles, discs mounted upon said spindles,said discs having their peripheral portions movable in the openings ofthe barrel, so as to grip the projectiles and to move the same throughthe barrel, and to expel or fire each projectile from the exit-end ofthe barrel, gear-mechanism mounted upon said spindles for actuating saidspindles and the discs, and means arried by a pair oi said spindles forprimarily actuatin said pair of spindles.

24-. In a gun, in combination with the barrel and breech thereof, saidbarrel being provided in its opposite sides with positioned openings,means for successively feeding projectiles into said breech, spindleslocated on opposite sides oil the barrel and in alinement with theoppositely located openings, each pair of said oppositely locatedspindles being capable also of reciprocatory movements, coil-springsconnected with and located between each pair of spindles, discs mountedupon said spindles, said discs having their peripheral portions movablein the openings or the barrel, so as to grip the projectiles and to movethe same through the barrel, and to expel or fire each projectile tromthe exit-end of the barrel, gear-mechanism mounted upon said spindlesfor actuating said spindles and the discs, and means carried by a pairof said spindles for primarilv actuating said pair of spindles, rearedin a manner for variously actuating said spindles and the discs, andmeans carried b a pair of said spindles for p imarily actuat said pairof spindles.

In to. imony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 28 day of May 1924;.

THOMAS J. BUTLER.

